GUESS WHO’S COMING FOR DINNER?

It was the Christmas season and I was asking the Lord what type of activities we should be creating to celebrate Him.   My husband and I have never resided around family, so we’ve adopted and invited many a dear one to join us in celebrations over the years.   We gather them from church or our neighborhood and even people we’ve recently been introduced to.  

This particular year we wanted to have friends and soon-to-be-friends over for dinner on Christmas Day.   To be honest, I have such a wonderful time preparing for occasions like this; it almost gives me as much enjoyment as when the people arrive.   I think it’s called “enthusiastic anticipation.”  

I wanted the table to be lovely and the atmosphere filled with God’s joy and love for all those who gathered round.   We had decided on everyone to invite; and felt that about eight people would arrange comfortably around our table.  This year I didn’t want to invite too many, as we wanted time to interact with each person.    The total was seven!   But about six weeks before Christmas, I sensed the Lord nudging me to invite “just one more.”   This ‘one more’ was the elderly father of one of our guests.  

God pointed out to my heart that this man needed to be around people because this was the first Christmas that he would be alone for that holiday without his wife who had passed away some months earlier. 

My heart wasn’t completely on board for this additional person.  I mentally indicated that I had never met the man and I was truly wondering if he would fit in with everyone else who would be  there.  

I realize it was a terrible thought, but I’m being honest here.   I’ve learned a long time ago that it’s a good thing to think about who you’re wanting to gather in your home.  The reasoning behind it is that we invited a number of “shy and somewhat introverted people” for dinner one time and my husband and I had to carry on almost all of the dialogue.   So it’s a good thing to invite different personalities so that everyone will feel comfortable and included.

The most pressing hesitation was that I had never met this person and was wondering how to sensitively “love” this man who had lost his wife just months before.  I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable or out of place.   But let’s be really honest here, I didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable either.  As you can see, I was the hindrance here and I felt so ashamed.

My heart remained unsettled as I knew that we just had to invite this man.  We had invited his daughter to come; and did I mention she was his only daughter.   It was appropriate to have her father as well, especially at this time of year and where he was finding himself in a new place emotionally.

It was time to make that important telephone call, and no, a “text would not do.”  I phoned our friend and asked if her father was available on Christmas day to come and spend the day with us.

Available???!!!!!   Are you kidding, he was all alone.   I shared with her that we would love to have her father if he’d feel comfortable in coming and if had no prior plans.

It didn’t take an hour to find that he was more than available to come and join his daughter on their first Christmas together without a mother and wife present.  I shared with her that we’d be honored to have him come and the dress was casual and we had a comfy chair close by so he could enjoy an afternoon nap after dinner, if he would wish for that.   

The only hesitation that he had was that “he didn’t know anyone” except his daughter and I wondered honestly, if he would feel comfortable.   His precious daughter, our friend, assured him he would be well loved and well looked after.

Weeks passed and Christmas day arrived.  You could cut the excitement in my heart and kitchen with a knife.  It was glorious.  Table was set the day before and all the goodies to eat were full in preparation.  The only event left was the arrival of our guests and a new-found friendship.

Everyone was arriving, and the laughter and hugs began.   Then came that special moment when our friend arrived with her beloved Dad.  Whatever nervousness I had previously slipped away the instant I saw him.   He was greeted with big smiles and a big hug.   “We’re so pleased you could come!”    He just oozed with enthusiasm and smiles.    He made my day before he even sat down at the dinner table.

How could we have had Christmas dinner and NOT invite this dear one.  God had special plans for this young 93 year old youthful man.   Everyone at the table made him feel special.  He was the star of the show!   We opened our little “Christmas crackers;” you know, the ones where there is a little gift inside and those funny, abundantly loud in color paper hats.

Yes, we made everyone wear those paper hats that day.  It was a kaleidoscope of color! The meal went on for several hours and after the meal, we just remained at the table.   As hours had passed  I quietly mentioned the “comfortable chair” that was available in case he would enjoy a little shut-eye from the laughter and talking.  You know, “resting your eyelash” time.

Are you kidding!?   He would have nothing to do with the chair.  He didn’t want to miss a thing.   After everyone quieted down and tummies were full, one by one people began feeling it was time to return to their homes for some relaxation.

We walked each guest to the door and parted with joy and sadness that everyone was leaving.   Our 93 year young guest was the first to leave with his daughter, both arm in arm.   The entire group at the table went to the door to say their farewells with hugs and kisses his way.   Honestly, you would have thought he was our guest of honor.

Both he and his daughter thanked us profusely for the wonderful time they experienced.   Honestly, everyone enjoyed each other, but for this man, he was meant to be loved in warm and heartfelt ways that day.

Our friend, the daughter of this man, thanked us over and over and over throughout the months for including her father.   She shared with us that this was an over-the-top Christmas for him.  He felt so at home, loved and comfortable with everyone.   A year went by and another Christmas.   But by this time, the Lord had moved us to another place, over a thousand miles away, so we couldn’t have these people over for dinner this year.  

But the weeks before this new Christmas season, guess who phoned to tell us again that her Dad’s experience that day was incredible!  She too had needed to be with people who would love on her that emotionally-empty Christmas day following the loss of her mother.

My heart is set on inviting people who don’t have family around because their hearts need a special touch of love and companionship.  This man was a gift to not only my heart, but to everyone’s heart that was there.

Oh the regular need for a reminder to invite strangers and allow their presence to enlarge our hearts and lives.   We’ll be richer for it, I know mine was.